RME Fireface 800 FireWire Interface

The RME Fireface 800 is the world's most powerful FireWire audio interface ever. Up to 56 channels record/playback, up to 192 kHz sample rate, and true FireWire 800 sum up to an unsurpassed high-end, high performance and high speed FireWire audio interface. Since the Fireface first shipped in July 2004, the unit became the reference for FireWire audio -- and still is today!

The RME Fireface 800 combines the proven technologies of previous RME products with the fastest FireWire technology. Analog technology of the ADI-8 converters, microphone technology of the OctaMic, TotalMix technology of the Hammerfall DSP series, years of experience in programming of efficient and reliable drivers, up to complete support from DIGICheck - only the best of the best, and even a bit more. The RME Fireface 800 offers the best worked out instrument input that could ever be found in an audio interface, a high power headphone output and signal-to-noise ratios of 119 dBA.

RMEs Fireface 800 is seen as reference by users and editors, when talking about FireWire audio and mobile recording.

Features

All inputs and outputs can be used at the same time*!. E. g., the instrument input can be used either instead of the line input on the back, or together with it. Even the TRS jack and the XLR socket of the microphone inputs can be used simultaneously. This way, up to 35 signal sources can be connected to the RME Fireface 800 and recorded onto 28 separate tracks!

Thanks to the DSP-based TotalMix mixer, known from the Hammerfall DSP series, all inputs and outputs can be freely mixed, distributed and routed. Up to 14 completely independent stereo submixes are possible. Each of the mixer's output channels, that is every single submix channel, can be recorded directly, without the need of external cable loops. And there's more: TotalMix can be MIDI remote controlled with any Mackie Control compatible controller.

All settings including TotalMix are recalled during boot via flash memory. After making all desired settings, the device works stand-alone even without computer as a submixer, A/D and D/A-converter, headphone mixer, format converter, instrument or microphone pre-amplifier, monitoring mixer and much more.

SteadyClock allows the RME Fireface 800 to control the sample rate freely on its own. The Settings dialog includes a direct choice of the video and audio world's most often used sample rates. Additionally, two faders can be used to set the sample rate freely and in real-time, within the range of +/- 4% and +/- 0.4%.

Via an insert slot on the back, a Time Code Option (TCO) for synchronizing to LTC and video can be added. Thanks to SteadyClock, the RME Fireface 800 does not only extract absolute positions, but also a very clean low-jitter word clock.

The RME Fireface 800 has a second port for hub functionality, bi-lingual mode for full FireWire 400 compatibility, and an additional FireWire 400 port. Several Fireface 800 can be used in parallel and at the same time on one FireWire port.

Audio Connections

Analog I/Os: Eight balanced line inputs and outputs with software controlled switching of the reference levels (-10 dBV, +4 dBu, HiGain), of course realized discretely in the analog domain, guarantee highest dynamic range and highest fidelity. Apart from the levels of the microphone pre-amps and the headphone outputs, all device settings are software controlled. Equipped with high-quality A/D and D/A converter chips, all I/Os operate up to 192 kHz and reach 119 dBA dynamic range on playback - even the headphone output (playback channels 9/10), whose high power technology delivers high volume even with low-impedance headphones.

On the front side, the RME Fireface 800 has 4 discrete balanced microphone inputs with class-A stage, separate activation of 48 V phantom power and separate XLR/TRS inputs, where the latter can also be used as additional Line inputs. Two of the four mic inputs are permanently available as channels 9 and 10, the other two can be used together with or alternatively to the inputs 7/8 on the back.

The RME FireFace 800's Hi-Z instrument input offers a soft-limiter, which has been tuned especially for musical instruments. Due to a soft transition and deliberate creation of harmonics, the input signal is compressed steplessly according to taste, or the limiter can be used for distortion with tube sound. Activate the Drive circuit too for broad guitar distortion. The Speaker Emulation filter, which can also be switched on separately, takes low- and high-frequency disturbances away and guarantees an optimal basic sound even when recording directly into the computer, or when monitoring through a mixing console.

Digital I/Os: Two ADAT optical I/Os allow for a connection and insertion of effects devices, mixing consoles or external converters. Of course, these 16 channels are available simultaneously with the analog channels. Using two additional ADI-8 DS, there are 26 analog inputs and outputs, which remain still 18 at 96 kHz. The coaxial SPDIF I/O works up to 192 kHz, so that there are still 10 analog in- and outputs at the highest sample rate, plus two digital ones.

This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
"Because I slip back and forth in A/D for mixing and mastering I want to make sure the convertors are the best. RME has the best"

Sound:
Sound is pristine, clear and real.
Feature:
It has more features than I presently use, but they're there if I need them.
Quality:
very sturdy, well built.
Value:
With all the features included on this unit I would expect to pay more.
Manufacturer Support:
I have needed some advice on a couple occasions and George responded quickly with clear explanations.
The Wow Factor:
Great visual appeal, user friendly, most of the connections I use are in the back and out of the way.
Overall:
I don't expect to be replacing this unit in the foreseeable future.

Thank you. Your vote has been counted. Could you briefly tell us why the review was or was not helpful?

This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
"Solid Unit....Recommended"

Sound:
Very clean, true sound. I run my Motif, Fantom XR, MoPhatt and Proteus thru it. I had a Digi 002R before and this interface kills it.
Feature:
Everyone seems to say the same thing when it comes to faults of the unit. It would have been nice to have a master/control room knob and phantom power buttons, however using the software isn't an inconvenience, you get used to it.
Ease of Use:
Easy to use.
Quality:
Built well, Stable software. (Had firewire problems with Digi002R)
Value:
You get what you pay for.
Manufacturer Support:
Never had a need to contact them and probably never will.
The Wow Factor:
I own it
Overall:
Right now this handles all of my A/D D/A converting.

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